Separation of Powers and Transparency

Judge Aileen Cannon issued a permanent order barring the Justice Department from releasing, distributing, or sharing Volume II of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s two‑volume report on the Mar‑a‑Lago classified‑documents matter and related election‑interference allegations, saying disclosure would cause “manifest injustice” to Trump and co‑defendants after the indictment was dismissed and asserting Smith acted without lawful authority. Cannon rejected a defense request to destroy the report, the DOJ abandoned its appeal of her 2024 dismissal after Trump’s election under the department’s policy against indicting a sitting president, and outside groups are pressing in ongoing litigation for public release.